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SHOPPER'S WORLD

SHOPPER'S WORLD; Where Picasso Crafted His Ceramics

Published: January 22, 1989

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Mr. Collet works primarily at the potter's wheel, but also builds square, rectangular or oval shaped objects, that are finished by adding a turned neck. Odile Culas, a comparative newcomer, set up her Atelier Vent d'Est four years ago. She specializes in stoneware, with the occasional porcelain piece, her work reflecting the influence of study in Japan, where she explored the technique of Shino. Gray stoneware plates ornamented with outlines of blue fish sell for $11 each and similar bowls for $10.50. There are lots of tea sets here, the teapots often having plastic handles. Ms. Culas incorporates twigs into her work the way the Japanese use bamboo.

For inexpensive gifts and souvenirs, simply stroll up and down the avenue stopping at shops where a bowl or plate takes your fancy. There is a mind-boggling array arranged in haphazard fashion. Ashtrays in the form of hands in bright blue, red, turquoise and pink glaze might add an amusing accent to a contemporary room at $4.80 or $11 each. Typical souvenirs are brown cicadas designed to hang on the wall that range in price from $2.50 to $7 depending on size, and dishes in the form of pigs; some of the latter are long and narrow with curly tail at one end and head with pink ears and snout at the other, just the size for a fat sausage. Others, wider in body, but otherwise similar, are intended for serving cold cuts and cost around $7 or $8. As you wonder around you get delicious whiffs of the lavender for which Provence is famous, you may even wish to purchase a few bags of it to take home. TIPS FOR VISITORS TO VALLAURIS Galleries and Studios

The Madoura Gallery is open from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and from 2:30 to 6 or 7 P.M. Most galleries and studios keep similar hours, depending somewhat on the convenience of the individual potter. Roger Collet was gracious enough to talk about his work during the lunch hour and Alain Rufas's wife opened his shop specially to accommodate a visitor who had expressed interest. Gilbert Portranier's studio on the Chemin des Potiers is likely to be closed if the potter himself is out of town. Getting Around

Vallauris is easily reached by car. There is regular bus service to and from the railroad station in Cannes. The Vallauris Tourist Office (Avenue des Martyrs-de-la-Resistance; 93.63.82.58) provides assistance for visitors; following are some addresses and telephone numbers.

Roger Collet, Montee Ste. Anne (behind the church).

Atelier Vent d'Est, Rue Sicard prolongee; telephone 93.64.00.44.

Foucard-Jourdan, 65 bis Avenue Georges-Clemenceau; 93.64.66.38.

Madoura Galerie d'Art, on Avenue des Anciens Combattants d'Algerie, on the corner of Avenue du Stade just off the Avenue Georges-Clemenceau, and Madoura Boutique, a short distance away on Avenue Georges-Clemenceau; both 93.64.66.39).

Galerie Sassi-Milici, 65 bis Avenue Georges-Clemenceau; 93.64.34.40 and 93.64.65.71. What Else to See

While in Vallauris don't forget to take a look at Picasso's bronze ''Man and Sheep'' in the main square, Place Paul Isnard, and his ''War and Peace'' fresco at the Musee National (Place de la Liberation; 93.64.18.05). Picasso ceramics are displayed, along with the work of contemporary potters, at the adjacent Municipal Museum, which is open daily except Tuesday from 10 A.M. to noon and 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. Admission is about $1.25 - R. R.

Photos of La Sirene, by the painter Andre Brasilier, at Sassi-Milici; a platter at the Madoura gallery and the figure of a potter at work on a town wall; Roger Collet, who came to Vallauris from Switzerland, showing a vase (Eddy Van der Veen/Kay Reese and Associates); map of southern France showing location of Vallauris (pg. 6); earthenware pots at Foucard-Jourdan (Eddy Van der Veen/Kay Reese and Associates) (pg. 33)